Where does the name of China come from? Isn't it embarrassing to not know the root cause?
The name of each country bears a deep historical trace, like a unique national business card. As the world's most populous country and an important developing force, China stands proudly as the world's third largest country and the second largest economy.
What is even more admirable is that China is an ancient civilization with a long history, and the precipitation of thousands of years has given her far-reaching influence.
No matter where you are, you can meet the smiles of your compatriots, taste the taste of your hometown, and listen to the familiar local sounds. China's great names, like bright stars, are famous all over the world.
Have you ever wondered why we call it China? When did the historical roots of this name begin? Isn't it a unique journey of discovery to know nothing about the origin of the name of the motherland?
Let's uncover this cultural code together!
Since ancient times,"China"The name carries a profound historical significance. Although officially will"China"The name was given in September 1949, but that doesn't mean it originated there.
Actually,"China"This concept has undergone rich evolution and evolution over the course of history, and its connotations have been enriched and deepened over time.
Through the traces of thousands of years of history,"China"The two words are indiscriminately used in the glory of the early Western Zhou Dynasty. Among the treasures of Baoji Chencang,"Ho Zun"The bronze sparkles, and its inscriptions reveal it"Yu Qi Zhai Zi China", revealing the ancients' lofty perception of geographical location, which they regarded as the center of the world, the heart of the world.
At that time"China"It is not a concept of a state, but a geographical point where the capital is located, symbolizing the center of power and culture.
This is a topic with a long history, as the geographical indications mentioned are not static over time. In ancient times, words such as Huaxia, China, Shenzhou and Middle-earth also represented this land.
So,"China"When did this name really become synonymous with the country we know today? Its connotation has evolved with the times.
has evolved,'China'The concept has deepened from the initial geographical identification to the core symbol of the royal domain, and then to the borders and territorial scope of the country. As the cornerstone of Chinese civilization, the "Book of Shang" first contains this word, which states:'In ancient times, the first kings adhered to the mandate of the emperor to govern this given territory and people.
It reveals that the Zhou Dynasty, as a heaven-granted regime, derives its power from the heavens. "
Go back in history,"China"The term dates back to the Zhou dynasty, and at first it referred specifically to the Guanzhong and Heluo regions under Western Zhou rule, symbolizing a specific geographical area. However, with the advent of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty,"China"The scope gradually expanded, encompassing not only the direct regions of Zhou, but also the entire vassal states of the Yellow River Valley, and its connotation was no longer limited to geography, but also encompassed a wider range of regional and cultural identities.
After the smoke of history, the borders of various countries have changed repeatedly"China"The name also expanded its territorial significance. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, it has gradually evolved into our common country name.
However,"China"It is still essentially a geographical indication. In those days,"Huaxia"Carrying a deeper national identity, the monarchs of the Central Plains collectively referred to their territories"China", the people call themselves"Huaxia", and the periphery is collectively called"Barbarians"。
This marks the heart of a civilization and culture.
During the Song Dynasty, China first established the concept of territory, after which the historical trend turned to cultural identity represented by the name of the country. In the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan pretended to be"China", and its diplomatic envoys follow the honorific title of this country when they go to other countries.
During the Qing Dynasty, this national name was inherited and evolved, and continued to carry the glory and symbol of the country.
Since the time of Emperor Shunzhi,"China"It has gradually become synonymous with the territory of the Qing Empire. During the Kangxi period, this title became more and more popular, and the Manchus were revered as the royal elite, while all the Qing Dynasty people were endowed"Chinese"of glory.
In the late Qing Dynasty, the names of China and the Qing Empire were no longer different, and the two were intertwined, and the emperor often used the two titles flexibly to demonstrate his authority and national identity.
Since the confirmation of a series of treaties,"China"This unique logo was finalized, and the name was widely accepted by both the imperial era of the Qing Dynasty and the international community. As the wheel of history enters the first era after the Xinhai Revolution,"China"It officially became the official name of the country.
The People's Republic of China, which continues to this day, is still proud to continue to use this name, which carries a long history and culture.
The name of China, with far-reaching meaning, originates from the imprint of history. Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty used the power of his domination to consolidate the territory and implement innovative measures such as household registration management, prioritizing the development of agriculture, and suppressing commerce.
These policies strengthened the centralization of power, and at the same time clearly defined the behavior of his rule"China", demonstrating a strong sense of national identity and territory.
From the Ming Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty,"China"The connotation of the term gradually evolved, expanding from a dynastic symbol to a synonym for the state. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, in the face of the invasion and abuse of foreign powers, the people deeply realized that the fate of the individual and the country was closely related, and national unity and national identity became a crucial consensus. "
China"It has surpassed the dynasty, carrying the glory and disgrace of 56 ethnic groups, symbolizing the common home of all the descendants of Yan and Huang. History bears witness even at the humiliating moment of the signing of the treaty"China"The two words still stick to the inscription of the Qing Dynasty, highlighting the dignity of the country.
In the historical torrent of the Xinhai Revolution, the feudal barriers were crushed by the wheel of history, and the land of China ushered in a new life"China"The concept has been sublimated, from a symbol of honorific titles, to the core of global attention.
The baptism of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation led the 1.3 billion people into a new era with their heads held high, and the People's Republic of China was born. Since then, proudly professed"Chinese"Become our common identity.
From ancient times to the present day,"China"This concept has evolved over thousands of years, from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, and then to the New China, and its connotation and boundaries have been continuously enriched. Since ancient times, successive dynasties of our country have always adhered to it"Huayi's distinction"with"Standing in the middle"ideas.
In this vast land, 56 ethnic groups have woven a long scroll of history of integration and inclusion, and this deep sense of national identity and unity is a vivid embodiment of the inclusiveness and diversity of Chinese culture.
In the Treaty of Wangxia concluded with the United States, the Qing Dynasty unabashedly called itself the "Great Qing State of China" and marked it as "Gu Sheng in China" in the signature office. This practice continued in the subsequent Treaty of Tianjin, which unmistakably referred to itself as "China" and the "Great Qing State", and honored the rulers of the Qing Dynasty as "Great Emperors of China", clearly expressing their identification with the national identity.
It can be said that"Qing Dynasty"This title was widely recognized and represented international consensus until the arrival of the Xinhai Revolution"China"It has officially become the official name of our country.
In 1912, with the founding of China, Sun Yat-sen generaled"China**"Abbreviated"China"Since then, China's national identity in the modern sense has been universally accepted around the world.
In 1949, New China was born"People's Republic of China"Abbreviated as:"China"Since then, the country's diverse ethnic groups have been collectively referred to as the Chinese nation, and a new national identity has been established.
Everyone who lives in this hot land proudly calls themselves the descendants of Yan and Huang, and the word "China" has been deeply imprinted in every heart. Being Chinese embodies endless pride, and at the same time, it reinforces the unity of our diverse peoples. "
China"The name, like"Kyushu"、"Huaxia"In general, it symbolizes a common cultural foundation and a strong sense of national belonging. "country"It is not just a geographical label, it is a unique mark of Chinese civilization for thousands of years, carrying the cultural heritage and spiritual core of the Chinese nation.
The starting point of China's international image is from ancient glory. "china"This globally known name actually has its roots in the depths of history. During the exchange of the Silk Road, the Persians were amazed by the porcelain art of our country during the Han Dynasty and named it"chini", implying the treasure of the Qin State.
Over time, "cin"evolved in the language of the Roman Empire"chini", which eventually evolved into what is now used internationally"china", symbolizing the outstanding contribution and influence of the Qin Dynasty in China.
This is the cultural origin behind Chinese names.
Historically, as early as the Eastern Han Dynasty, Jingdezhen (formerly Changnan Town) in China had already lit the beacon of ceramic art, and began to build elaborate kilns and grind porcelain.
During the Tang Dynasty, the unique soil here and the fusion of porcelain skills from the north and south gave birth to unique varieties of green and white porcelain. Its color is warm and moist like jade, like jadeite crystal clear, known as"A jewel in porcelain"It is popular in China, exported to Europe, and famous all over the world.
Before the 18th century, there was no porcelain craft in Europe, and China, especially the ceramics of Jingdezhen, were popular and highly respected in Europe. The porcelain there, such as Jingdezhen's products, is regarded as priceless treasures, symbolizing nobility and wealth.
Possession of Chinese porcelain, especially in Jingdezhen, was a symbol of privilege for European aristocrats and wealthy merchants. Therefore,"Changnan"This name gradually became the hometown of porcelain (China) and porcelain"China"synonymous with elegance.
As the years passed, the memories of Europe gradually blurred, and they forgot the original meaning of Changnam, remembering only that it was the homeland of porcelain"china"It has become synonymous with China.
Back in the early 20th century, about"china"The etymology is full of opinions and speculations. The literati Su Manshu had a unique eye, he proposed"china"Derived from ancient Sanskrit, the original form is"cina"It symbolizes the roots of Chinese civilization.
The ancient writer Sumanshu delved into the ancient texts - "Mahabharata" and "Ramayana", and revealed a historical secret in it:"cina"This unique appellation actually contains the meaning of wisdom, which originated 3,400 years ago in the era of Bharata in India, symbolizing people's praise for the prosperity and wisdom of the Shang Dynasty in the Yellow River Valley.
However,"china"The main origin of this name is still derived from the pronunciation of the Great Qin Empire, and this authoritative view was authoritatively confirmed in the authoritative 1986 book The Cambridge History of the Qin and Han Dynasty in China.
In Chapter 18 of the Cambridge History of the Qin and Han Dynasties, there is an in-depth ** pointed out that in English"china"The etymology may have its roots in the illustrious history of the Qin Dynasty. The ancient name Qin was not only laid"china"It also influenced similar appellations in other non-Chinese language families, such as those found in ancient Greek and Roman texts"thinai"with"sinai"They all carry an early understanding of the land of China.
However, the Chinese nation, which suffered from the harsh rule of the Qin Dynasty, had a deep antipathy towards that era, so it rarely associated that period of history with its own identity; For thousands of years, they have always been"China"This universal name is a self-proclaimed name, which reflects the characteristics of our nation in adhering to the golden mean, acting wisely, and persevering.
From our perspective, there is only one core of the world, and that is our root – China.
Therefore,"China"transcends geographical boundaries and symbolizes a sense of belonging to a culture and a unique philosophy of dealing with people. As China grows more prosperous, not only will the country's reputation reverberate around the world, but also the long-standing Chinese culture will have a profound impact on the world.
Uphold"The world is for the public, and the world is the same"China is leading the world towards a future of equality, fraternity and harmony"All brothers in the four seas"The concept is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.